LIBERAL DEMOCRATS HIT OUT AT PLANS TO CUT OLDER PEOPLE' BUDGET

1.09.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th Oct 2007

Liberal Democrats have condemned plans by the ruling Tory Administration on Cheshire County Council to cut £14 million from the older peoples service budget by 2011.

That is despite the fact that the number of older people in Cheshire is increasing. The number of over 85 year olds will rise by 25 percent so the Tory plans seem "plain crazy" says Liberal Democrat Community Services spokesman Rod. Fletcher.

"The Tories want to close three community support centres - Lightfoot Lodge in Chester, Bexton Court in Knutsford and Santune House in Crewe and Nantwich in order to save money" said County Councillor Fletcher.

"My group cannot support the proposals to close respite centres.

"We believe that the County Council should consider using some of the spare capacity in community support centres to pull back some services from the private sector. This will give people a choice between private or County Council residential care.

"The Tories have failed to invest in the centres since they came to power and now say they are dated. Yet many carers wonder how they will cope without them.

"The older peoples' service budget has been hit by Conservative budget cuts since 2001 when the Tories won power at County Hall. Their reliance on the private sector threatens to increase costs substantially.

"With such pressures on the Older People's Services budgets we are concerned the services available might not be being marketed as only as they could be, leaving many carers to struggle on alone, not knowing what help is available."

The Liberal Democrats says they have become concerned that 'Transforming Cheshire' - the name the Tories gave to the programme of change -is more about cutting services that improving service efficiency.

Liberal Democrat group leader Sue Proctor said: "Tranforming Cheshire was supposed to increase effectiveness and give better value for money but it's being used as an excuse to make cuts wherever the Tories think they'll get away with it.

"Liberal Democrats believe in giving value for money.

"These proposed cuts in services affect some of the most vulnerable in society and puts carers under even greater pressure.

"It's becoming typical of Cheshire's uncaring Conservatives. They only look at the pounds and leave the people to take care of them selves."